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functions. Most obviously, perhaps, it fulfills the need for closeness with others. In addition, it gives the adolescent a means of defining himself or herself, a way of establishing an identity. The group does this by helping the individual achieve self-confidence, develop a sense of independence from family, clarify values, and experiment with new roles. For instance, members of cliques may imitate one another’s clothing, speech, or hair- styles. By providing feedback, clique members not only help define who an individual is but also who he or she is not: group membership sepa- rates an adolescent from others who are not in his or her group.
Of course, there are drawbacks to this kind of social organization. One of the greatest is the fear of being disliked, which leads to conformity— the “glue” that holds the peer group together. A teenager’s fear of wearing clothes that might set him or her apart from others is well known. Group pressures to conform, however, may also lead young people to do more serious things that run contrary to their better judgment.
Despite their tendency to encourage conformity, peer groups are not always the dominant influence in an adolescent’s life. Both parents and peers exercise considerable influence in shaping adolescent behavior and attitudes. Peers tend to set the standards on such matters as fashion and taste in music. In addition, their advice on school-related issues may also be considered more reliable than parental counsel (Berndt, 1992).
When it comes to basic matters, however, involving marriage, religion, or educational plans, adolescents tend to accept their parents’ beliefs and to follow their advice (Offer & Schonert-Reichl, 1992). Only in a few areas touching basic values—for example, drug use or sexual behavior— are there differences. Even here the differences are not fundamental and represent only a difference in the strength with which the same basic belief is held. For example, adolescents may have more liberal views on premar- ital sex than their parents do.
clique: a small, exclusive group of people within a larger group
Reading Check
Why do adolescents join cliques?
conformity: acting in accor- dance with some specified authority
Figure 4.8 The Rebellious Teen
Adolescence is often described as a time of children’s rebellion against parents. This rebellion is usually aimed at the controls parents exercise over the adolescents’ behavior. Who replaces parents as a source of emotional support for adolescents?
Chapter 4 / Adolescence 111
For Better or For Worse reprinted by permission of United Feature Syndicate, Inc.